, 1887-09-17
APACHE MEDICINE DANCE.

Splendid Specimens of Indian
A Medicin. woman's Invocation.
AS the mellow outlines of Fort Marion
came in NEW a ruddy reflection of the
watchfire rose against the somber back
ground of the sky, while shrill, wild cries
were heard mingled with the steady beat
of the tomtom. Passing through the old
portcullis, as we entered the courtyard
of the fort, a curious scene presented itself.
From the ramparts above hundreds of
figures were seen standing, sitting, in
every imaginable posture. Lining the
stone staircase, crouched in groups upon
the pavement of the court, the rest of the
spectators smoked, chatted and enjoyed
themselves. Occasionally the fire, heaped
with fresh logs, blazed up ~fiercely. giving
us a chance to recognize some of the dark
faces. Around it two dancers whirled,
both splendid specimens of Indian man.
hood. The freight cleaned on their
broad, naked chests, painted and tattooed
with symbolic devices.
On their heads were fastened curious
square head dresses, to which pieces of
metal were attached; these changed and
Jared with every motion, while the face
was entirely concealed by a thick wooden
mask. Tall, straight as an arrow, their
swift, supple movements showed the
great muscular power they possessed. By
sharp, wild cries the tribe signifed their
delight at any particularly daring act, as
when one of the men leaned so far over
the fire that he seemed actually in the
midst of it.
For hours this dance was kept up, till
the eye wearied Of following their swift,
whirling movements. Finally there was
a ghAr-t .-tarvl - A. -- IL
''medicine dance" Emerging from the
shadowy easement a tall, bent figure APP
peared, supported on either eide. Led to
a low seat prepared for him within the
circle of light, the poor creature sank
into it half UNCONSCIOUS, while the men of
the tribe to which he belonged formed
themselves into a line.
First came the two medicine men,
Cole and Ustane, full of the dignity of
their Office, wearing the medicine Jacket
and cap. One of them carried a small
tomtom, accompanying himself on this
as he chanted the medicine song, a
curious, monotonous measure; then
came the chief, walking alone, followed
by the rest of the men two abreast. After
these came the women, and last of all the
children. The most perfect order pre-
vailed, the march around the invalid
being performed in utter silence, except
the low muttering of the medicine men
and the occasional shrill, hooking cries
of the dancers, who, running beside the
line, looked and acted like evil spirits.
The marching was continued until
from out the line a medicine woman adj
vanced, and walking up to where the
sick man lay began her chant. Weird
and unearthly she looked in the dim
light, her swarthy face, half hidden by
masses of black hair, lifted to the starry
heavens. Her voice, a veritable .'yoix
des larmes, " now raised in an agony of
supplication or sunk to n low key of sob
bling entreaty, rang out on the still night
air. Strangely impressed, | noticed the
reverent faces n moving lips of the In
dams around me. Who will dare to as
sert that their prayers to the 'rGreat
Spirit, of whom even we, except by
faith, can know SO little, are worthless?
AT length she stopped, stepping back into
her place in the line, while the march
was recommended.
This ended the "medicine dance" the
invalid was removed and q fresh relay of
logs heaped on the fire for the last feature
of the programme, a lane in which all
the tribes join. In separate lines the men
and women stood facing zach other.
After a few spreliminaries of crossing
over and back each squw chose a brave,
being obliged to dance with her partner
all the evening. This festivity is gener-
ally kept up till morning, and as it was
already well into the ''wee sma' hours
we decided not to wait for its termina-
ton, although politely urged to take
part, an invitation we were strongly
tempted to accept.-St. Augustine Fla.)
Cor. Home Journal.